Berroco Hestia- Portfolio Socks Knitting Pattern

Berroco Hestia Socks

What Is Being Made

The Hestia socks are a pair of seamless, cuff-down socks designed by Alison Green for Berroco Portfolio vol.1. These socks are crafted to fit approximately 6½ inches around (unstretched) with a height of 8 inches from the top to the start of the heel flap. The pattern includes instructions for making two complete socks and is rated at an Experienced skill level, making it suitable for knitters with solid foundational knowledge.

Techniques Used

The Hestia socks are constructed using several advanced knitting techniques that create both visual interest and structural integrity:

• Seamless Construction: The socks are worked seamlessly in the round, eliminating the need for seaming and creating a smooth, comfortable fit against the foot.
• Top-Down Method: Beginning at the cuff and working downward toward the foot, this approach allows for easy adjustments to fit and length as you progress through the pattern.
• Worked in the Round: Using double-pointed needles (dpns), the entire sock is knitted circularly, which is the traditional method for sock construction and ensures consistent gauge and appearance throughout.
• Cable Patterns: The design incorporates cable stitches, specifically the C2R (cable 2 right) stitch, which creates twisted, dimensional textures that add visual depth and sophistication to the sock design.

Stitches Used

The Hestia pattern employs a combination of fundamental and decorative stitches to create its distinctive appearance:

• Stockinette Stitch (St st): The primary stitch used throughout much of the sock, creating a smooth, classic knit fabric.
• Ribbing: The cuff features a knit-purl ribbing pattern that provides stretch and helps the sock stay securely in place on the leg. The ribbing combines knit through the back loop (k1 tbl) and purl stitches (p1) in a structured repeat.
• Cable Stitches: The C2R (cable 2 right) stitch is used to create twisted cable details. This stitch is worked by slipping one stitch to a cable needle and holding it in back, knitting one stitch through the back loop, then knitting one stitch from the cable needle.
• Knit Through the Back Loop (k tbl): Used frequently throughout the pattern, this variation creates a twisted stitch that adds texture and helps define the cable and ribbing sections.

Materials

The Hestia socks require minimal materials, making them an efficient project for sock knitters:

• Yarn: One hank of Berroco Ultra Alpaca Fine (100 grams) in colorway #12175 Periwinkle Mix. This yarn is a fine-weight alpaca blend that provides softness and warmth suitable for sock construction.
• Needles: One set of four double-pointed knitting needles (dpns) in size 1 (2.50 mm), or preferred needles for working small circumferences in the round. Double-pointed needles are the traditional choice for seamless sock knitting as they accommodate the small circumference required for sock construction.
• Notions: Two cable needles (cn) are required for executing the cable stitches throughout the pattern, and stitch markers are needed to track the beginning of rounds and pattern repeats.

Gauge Information

Proper gauge is essential for achieving the correct finished measurements. The pattern specifies two different gauges depending on the stitch pattern being worked: 34 stitches and 44 rows equal 4 inches in Stockinette Stitch (unstretched), while 45 stitches and 44 rows equal 4 inches in Cable patterns (unstretched). The pattern emphasizes the importance of checking gauge before beginning to ensure accurate sizing and proper fit.